If you find yourself without a chimney starter, you can apply a similar method without the added equipment. Simply bunch up a couple pieces of newspaper and place them in the middle of the charcoal grate. Then build the coals up around the paper in a pyramid fashion, light the newspaper, and let it go.Click to see full answer. Hereof, how do you start a charcoal grill without lighter fluid? Method 2 Starting a Fire with Newspaper Open the bottom vents and clean out the ash. Crumple up 4-5 pieces of newspaper and place them in the center grill. Place small, dry sticks on top of your newspaper. Place 3-4 pieces of charcoal on top of your pile. Ignite the paper from several places. Get the charcoal smoking. Likewise, can you use gas to start a charcoal grill? Never add lighter fluid to coals that are already hot or warm. Never use gasoline, kerosene, or other highly volatile fluids as a starter. They can explode. As an alternative to lighter fluid, use an electric, solid, metal chimney or other starter specifically made for lighting charcoal briquettes or wood chunks. Beside this, do you need lighter fluid to light charcoal? You don’t need lighter fluid, which can affect the taste of your food. Just find some old paper or use fire starters. If you don’t own a chimney starter, pack the coals close together and add lighter fluid.Can I use vegetable oil instead of lighter fluid?It isn’t difficult to start a fire without lighter fluid. All you need is: Crumpled paper towels( about 4 or 5 large sheets) Vegetable oil.